Chelsea's Mourinho insists: We really want Man Utd's Rooney

Following on from a club statement confirming their bid for the Manchester United striker, Mourinho revealed that the Blues have lodged a money-only offer and wanted to make it clear that they admire the England international.

"Chelsea is interested in this player, made a bid, and what we did, we did officially," said Mourinho.

"The bid is there. The club knows we want the player, the player has to know we made a bid for him.

"Now we have nothing more to say. We want the player, we made the bid and now it is up to Man United and we respect their decision.

"We don't want to make public the bid but it is just a certain amount of money and it doesn't involve players or players in the possibility of negotiation. No Juan Mata, no David Luiz.

"I work with my players now, as I've done from day one. I trust my players, I'm happy with them, and that's what I have to do now.

"We did what we had to do in a proper way, in an ethical way, and we're very happy with our behaviour. It was clean.

"Now I keep doing what I'm doing, working with my players, trying to improve my players, and we'll see what happens. Now he's with Man United, not with us.

"From me no more comments with respect to Man United, my colleague (United manager) David Moyes and my players."

About the author

Andrew Slevison is an avid sports fan, particularly of the world game. The Melbourne, Australia native, who has spent time living in London and travelling South America, takes a keen interest in the English Premier League and Major League Soccer and rates his best live footballing moment as the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil.